Cigarette packages



' Sept. 24, 1957 l. ZION CIGARETTE PACKAGES Filed Feb. 24, 1.955

INVENTOR ATTORNEYS CIGARETTE PACKAGES Irving Zion, Lawrence, N. Y.

Application February 24, 1955, Serial No. 490,215

2 Claims. (Cl. 206-48) This invention relates to improvements in the packaging of cigarettes, and particularly to an improved outer wrapper for rectangular cigarette packages which, upon opening of the package, is expansible to receive therein a book match unit.

Many cigarette users find it convenient, after opening of the package by removal of one end of the usual transparent, waterproof outer wrapper, to insert a book of paper matches within the retained portion of the wrapper, and between the wrapper and the inner package. Matches are thus readily available for lighting cigarettes, are kept drier in damp weather, and protected if the clothing becomes wet. However, since the wrapper usually fits the package snugly, the matches are not readily inserted until a number of cigarettes have been removed from the package.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide an outer wrapper for a cigarette package having a removable end portion affording access to one end of the enclosed package, and having a pleat extending lengthwise of one face of the package and adapted to open upon removal of the end portion of the wrapper, whereby the wrapper is enlarged sufficiently to permit insertion of a book match unit between the wrapper and the package even while the package contains substantially the full quota of cigarettes.

Preferably the invention is applied to a wrapper of the type provided with a tear strip or rip cord, extending about the package adjacent one end of the latter to facilitate removal of the wrapper end portion, the pleat extending transversely of the tear strip, so that release of the pleat at the tear line and resulting expansion of the wrapper occurs on tearing.

Further objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a wrapped cigarette package embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a view corresponding to Figure 1, following the removal of the end portion of the wrapper and insertion of a book match unit between the wrapper and the package;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a section on the line 44 of Figure 2, and

Figure 5 is a plan view of a wrapper blank for use in the practice of the invention.

The invention is shown as applied to the usual rectangular cigarette package and to a wrapper of the kind presently in common use, in which sealing of the wrapper is effected at each end of the package lengthwise of one narrow side of the package. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention may be employed with comparable beneficial effect on wrappers otherwise designed, applied, and secured or sealed as will be obvious to those skilled in the art. The illustration of one embodiment only in the accompanying drawings, and the use of specific language to describe the same is, therefore, not to 2 V be construed as limiting the scope of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in Figure l the'completed unopened article, comprising the usual paper and foil package 10 and the outer wrapper 11,

which may be formed of moistureproof, transparent cellulosic material. Preferably the wrapper is scored and/ or is provided with a tear strip or rip cord 13 to facilitate the removal of an end portion 12 of the wrapper. Upon removal of this end portion 12, the remaining portion 15 of the wrapper, which fits the package snugly, is ordinarily incapable of receiving matches of the book type until a substantial number of cigarettes have been withdrawn, so as to permit partial collapse of the package. However, in accordance with the invention, the wrapper is provided with a pleat 18 overlying one broad face of the package, across which the tear strip 13 extends. Consequently, when the tear strip is manipulated to sever and remove the end portion 12 of the wrapper, to expose the end of the package, the adjacent end of pleat 18 is freed and the wrapper expanded to an extent determined by the width of the pleat. The pleat width is preferably such that when the pleat is released as described, a book match unit 20 may be inserted between the wrapper and the package 10, as shown in Figure 2.

In the drawing, and especially in the sectional views of Figures 3 and 4, the thickness of the wrapper is exaggerated in the interest of clarity; normally the outer wrapper is of thin stock.

In Figure 5 is illustrated a wrapper blank prior to folding about the package, score lines or creases to facilitate folding being indicated. It will be perceived that the blank is of the usual substantially rectangular outline and is scored or creased to provide end tucks and folds at opposite ends of the package. These are sealed after folding, by heat or adhesive, and where no tear strip is provided, the wrapper may be opened by breaking the seal at either end. The side edges of the wrapper are also overlapped and sealed along one narrow side of the package, as indicated at 24.

It will be appreciated that in addition to provision for easy access to matches, the instant invention affords other and further advantages. Thus, when a book of matches is inserted within the outer wrapper, it stiffens the package and tends to prevent damage to the remaining cigarettes after the major portion has been withdrawn. Again, for. those who prefer not to utilize the expansible wrapper for the retention of book matches, but who wish to dispose of the outer wrapper immediately upon opening the package, such removal is, of course, made easier by the release of the wrapper tuck.

Such alterations and modifications of the illustrated package and wrapper are contemplated as would normally occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A rectangular cigarette package having an outer wrapper of transparent, waterproof material fitting snugly about said package, and a tearing strip associated with the outer wrapper and extending at about the package adjacent one end of the latter to facilitate removal of an end portion of the wrapper, said wrapper being provided with a pleat overlying one broad face of the package and extending transversely of said tearing strip, said tearing strip holding said pleat in folded condition, whereby tearing of the wrapper by said strip free said pleat and permits expansion of said wrapper to accommodate within the wrapper a book match unit.

2. A rectangular cigarette package having an outer wrapper fitting snugly about said package, and a tearing strip associated with the outer wrapper and extending at least partially about the package to facilitate removal of one end portion ofthe wrapper, said wrapper being provided with a pleat'overlying one face of the package and extending transversely of said tearing strip, said tearing strip holding said pleat in folded condition, whereby tearing of the wrapper by said strip frees said pleat and permits expansion of said wrapper to accommodate within the wrapper a book match unit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Cutler Ian. 16, Anderson Aug. 21, Brandwein Jan. 25, Little Aug. 28, Snyder Dec. 18, 

